Border Collie Dogs Intelligent Dogs For Active Families!

Border Collie dogs, classified among the herding dog breeds, are bred for their working attributes and are very
intelligent.

Collie type dogs have worked the border lands between England and Scotland for hundreds of years - hence the
reference to this in their name. The Border closely resembles the early herding dogs
and his sheep herding instincts are very strong having been inbred for over 200 years.
The ancestors of Border Collie dogs are believed to be Reindeer Herders brought to Scotland by the Vikings and
subsequently cross-bred with local sheepdogs.

Unlike other herding dog breeds, this dog
uses a different primary technique for fetching the sheep. It is referred to as strong eye -
in which he glares at the flock with an unblinking stare. This unsettles the sheep enough to
make them move as the dog directs. Sometimes, he does use nipping or barking to bring the
more stubborn animals into line.

Because of their high response to training, Border
Collie dogs do very well in Search and Rescue work. They have also been featured in
television commercials and movies - one such appearance was in the movie "Babe".

Appearance:

Coat and Care:

Border Collie dogs have two variations to their coat. One is adorned with hair that is coarse,
thick and straight and about three inches in length, while the other is sleek and shorter -
about one inch in length. Both variations are double coated and weather resistant.

Personality and Traits:

This breed is one that loves to please, is alert, highly intelligence, faithful, and devoted
to his master. They are very trainable in experienced hands, but because this dog has an
excellent retentive mind, the training signals must be consistently precise, or confusion
will result.

The Border needs a lot of interaction with his family and will not do
well if left alone for extended periods of time. A bored Border will look for ways to engage
his mind and body - and what he gets up to will not usually result in earning him a merit
badge! Owners report that he is a great escape artist and also has a penchant for chewing
everything - especially in his early years.

The ideal owner should be able to provide
strong leadership and knowledgeable
dog obedience training without harshness.
Early socialization to people and situations is strongly recommended.

Activity Level:

The Border Collie has incredible stamina coupled with an almost insatiable need for mental and physical activities.

He needs extensive exercise on a daily basis - up to two hours. This could include vigorous walks and frequent play sessions
such as retrieving a frisbee. In addition, running off leash in a safe open area, will be greatly enjoyed.

Training your Border for agility, herding trials, obedience, or frisbee sports is the perfect way to utilize his need for action and have a contented dog.

Dog Toys For Borders:

Click on any toy for more details.

Space Needs:

Does best in home with considerable property where he can run freely and interact with family
in various activities, but will not do well left alone outside for long periods of time.

Children:

Contrary to some opinions, I do not believe this is the best breed for children - particularly young children. The majority of Borders have
very strong herding instincts that cannot be trained out of them. Play situations can arise where a Border may act on his natural
instincts to round up a child, and this could be frightening. I definitely think they do best with families that are very outdoor oriented
and can include the dog in their activities.

Elderly:

Border Collie dogs are not recommended for inactive elderly owners or sedentary families due to the substantial
amount of exercise they require and its importance.

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